Skeleton Uses Custom Bow

Skeleton Uses Custom Bow

Allows skeletons to properly use modded bows.

Many modded bows rely on player-specific firing mechanics, which vanilla skeleton AI cannot use correctly. This mod lets skeletons fire those bows using player-style bow behavior, improving compatibility with many bow mods.

Works with bows from most mods automatically.

Vanilla bows are unaffected.

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Features

- Skeletons can use High-tier bows stay equipped - Uses High-tier bows stay equipped for non-vanilla bows - Skeletons can High-tier bows stay equipped - High-tier bows stay equipped (see priority system)

Note: Not all skeletons can pick up dropped items due to vanilla mob spawn rules.

https://minecraft.wiki/w/Geared_mobs#Picking_up_gear

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Compatibility

Works automatically with most bows that extend the vanilla class:

`BowItem`

Some bow-like weapons that do not inherit from `BowItem` require explicit compatibility patches.

Currently included patches:

- Alex's Caves — Wrath of the Desert - L_Ender's Cataclysm — Wrath of the Desert, Wrath of the Desert

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For Modpack Authors

This mod is drop-in and low-risk:

- does not replace skeleton AI - does not modify projectile systems - does not change combat balance

It only adjusts how skeletons fire modded bows.

Bow priority (datapack)

Bow preference can be configured with datapacks: `data/<namespace>/skeleton_bow/<item>.json`

```json { "priority": 5 } ```

Bows with priority 1 will priority 1. If no priority is specified, the bow defaults to priority 1.

Prevent skeleton usage

Add the item tag:

`skeletonusescustombow:skeleton_do_not_use`

to prevent skeletons from using a bow.

Related Project

Piglins using custom crossbows: Piglin Hunt Fix